Massa to referee Roma-Inter, but referee's record against Giallorossi is poor; Gasperini expects him to be 'perfect'

Roma and Inter, the only two Serie A sides with 12 points after four rounds, meet at the Olimpico on Saturday in a high-stakes title clash. Gian Piero Gasperini's side have made a superb start to their second season in charge, winning all four league matches by an aggregate of 12–1, including a 2–0 victory at Torino on Monday with goals from Donyell Malen and Niccolò Pisilli. That came after a 1–1 draw at Fenerbahce in their opening Europa League fixture. Roma will attempt to reverse a damaging recent record: they have won only two of their last 16 encounters with Inter (D6, L10), and have lost their last five league clashes against them at home, failing to score four times in that sequence. The Giallorossi will seek to avenge an embarrassing 5–2 defeat from their last meeting. Despite the historical disadvantage, Roma's form this season suggests they can compete. They are the only Serie A team to have scored at least two goals in each of the first four rounds, and have extended their remarkable winning streak in the division to 11 games, including matches from last season. They are the second-highest scorers in Italy's top flight after four matchdays. Roma are also unbeaten in their last 14 home league matches (W11, D3) and boast one of the best defensive records in Europe's top-five leagues this season—only Arsenal and Freiburg have conceded as few goals as the Giallorossi (1). Inter, the reigning champions, are unbeaten in their last 30 Serie A games (W23, D6) despite netting just once in their only league trip so far in 2026–27, a narrow win over Cagliari. They top the scoring charts with 13 goals and have demonstrated remarkable fighting spirit, coming from 2–0 down to beat Napoli 3–2 and Udinese 5–3. However, they have conceded five goals across their last two league matches and let in at least two goals in three of their last five Serie A away games. Gasperini will have his entire squad available on Saturday, with Wesley Franca and Evan N'Dicka resuming full training earlier in the week. Manu Koné, who came off the bench at Turin, could return to the starting lineup in place of Pisilli. Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé are expected to start behind Malen. Inter will be without midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu (adductor strain) and summer signing John Stones (thigh injury), with Yann Bisseck, Manuel Akanji and Alessandro Bastoni forming the defensive trio. Marcus Thuram could make his first Serie A start of the season after two impressive substitute appearances. Roma's projected lineup: Svilar; Mancini, Balerdi, N'Dicka; Molina, Koné, Cristante, Wesley; Soulé, Dybala; Malen. Inter's projected lineup: J. Martínez; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; Diouf, Barella, Zielinski, Jones, Dimarco; Thuram, L. Martínez.

Fulvio Collovati, the 1982 World Cup winner, assessed Roma's challenge against Inter on the eve of their Serie A match, arguing that Gasperini's side possesses the superior defence. Collovati, who spent four seasons at Inter (1982–86) and two at Roma before a year at Udine, drew on his experience of both clubs to frame the tactical battle ahead. Collovati believed Roma arrive in better psychological and motivational shape, noting that Inter, already cast as super-favourites, have more to lose. He grounded his analysis in defensive statistics: Inter have conceded six goals while scoring 13, whereas Roma have shipped only one goal in the same period while scoring 12. "It is a non-negligible fact," he said, "which translates the solidity of Gasperini's team; instead Chivu in the same period is working to make the defence more solid." Collovati stressed that defensive strength remains Serie A's defining characteristic, pointing out that Como reached the Champions League last season by conceding just 29 goals rather than scoring 36. He argued that for Roma, having an impenetrable backline is almost as important as possessing attacking talent. On individual defenders, Collovati assessed that Leonardo Balerdi is earning his place through performances, describing him as "a young man who has modern qualities coupled with an 'ancient' temperament as a defender." He added that Gasperini's comparison of Balerdi to Baresi may have been slightly excessive, though the coach clarified he was speaking of characteristics. Collovati also highlighted several young talents with international significance: Ghilardi, whom he considers almost ready, and Emanuele Lulli, arguing that if there is such talk of talented youth, ``then you have to start betting on them, as happens abroad.'' He named Bastoni, Dimarco, Esposito, Barella, Mancini and Cristante as players whose club performance carries weight for the national team, noting that Roberto Mancini will be present at the Olimpico on Saturday. When asked whether he was rooting for either side, Collovati said: "I'm not someone who shies away from answers, but since I became a commentator I've managed to exercise healthy distance, so I say I support beautiful football and in my opinion we will see it in Roma–Inter."

Roma will host Inter on 19 September at 18:00 at the Stadio Olimpico in a top-of-the-table fixture. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini held his pre-match press conference on 18 September and confirmed that Manu Koné, Evan N'Dicka, Wesley and Lorenzo Pellegrini are all available for selection. Gasperini described the occasion as a source of satisfaction given Roma's strong start to the season and praised the environment at the stadium. Gasperini acknowledged Inter's standing in Serie A, saying: "Without any doubt Inter is the reference team for our league. Over time they are doing extraordinary things both in Italy and in Europe. For other teams, trying to get closer and compete with them is certainly a reference." He framed the fixture as an opportunity rather than a burden, stating that positive energy and desire to perform are forces to harness. The head coach also ruled out complacency, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the tactical battle ahead. On the injury front, Gasperini delivered encouraging news: "I continue to cross my fingers. We are all available for tomorrow, so everyone is fit. This is already an extraordinary result." Pellegrini, recovering from injury, has now completed a second consecutive week of full training with the squad and is ready to play. Gasperini also expressed confidence in young defender Emanuele Lulli, saying: "He is a player who has come through in recent matches and needs a development process, perhaps accelerating through certain steps. I am very satisfied with what he is doing." Regarding the referee appointment, Gasperini added: "Tomorrow Massa will be perfect. There will be no more controversy."